Apr 4, 2013

10:20 PM

"Chasing Tail" on History Channel Features Bowhunters Invading Fairfield County

by Ray Bendici

Courtesy of the USDA

If you're a fan of History Channel, you may have seen the recent promo for an upcoming show called "Chasing Tail," in which a group of "blue-collar" bowhunters are invited to hunt deer on large, private estates in New Canaan. Given the timing as it aired earlier this week, some thought the promo—which included a hunter dragging a slain deer across the winter cover of a large in-ground pool—might be an April Fool's joke.

It is not. The first episode airs Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m., and according to History Channel, it will only be airing for 5 weeks and will wrap up on May 9.

From a description provided by History Channel:

Connecticut has some of the richest suburbs in America, but it’s also infested with white-tailed deer, which can spread Lyme disease and cause car accidents. Enter Mike Andronaco and his blue-collar buddies. Mike and his friends get permission from wealthy landowners to hunt on their massive properties. Mike and his guys keep the meat, and the town keeps its deer population manageable. HISTORY's new series captures the culture clash when the arrows begin to fly.

Hunting deer in Fairfield County has long been a controversial subject as the region has become overrun as a dearth of natural predators has allowed deer populations to explode. Non-lethal initiatives such as increasing fencing and birth control have been discussed to try and keep the deer at bay.

According to the Fairfield County Deer Management Alliance, which advocates deer hunting and suggests that there in some places there are as many as 60 deer per square mile, the biggest issues from the overpopulation are the spread of tick-borne illness such as Lyme Disease, property damage and road safety. They suggest that thinning the herds down to a 10-12 deer per square mile would benefit all.

According to the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, there are plenty of designated areas to hunt deer with bows, so "Chasing Tail' isn't as much about hunting as much as "entertainment," as the desription suggests, and will undoubtedly be the draw for viewers. Given the popularity of History's other "reality" shows such as "Swamp People" and "Ax Men," there will be an audience ready to tune in and give the show a try.